currently i have arduino uno, couple relays , water tank , small water pumps , soil sensors.
i successfully connected the pumps and the relays to control watering couple of my planters
however i am not sure how to go next.
the uno have some inputs and outputs but the number of inputs for the sensors and relays is larger than the pins on the uno , and i also want to connect couple of push switches, LCD disply and wifi somehow.
the question raised by me is why i need for example that "sensor number 1" will always be connected to pin 8 and not only when i try to read it ?
so one solution i think is some kind of "MUX" device that i can address a sensor / pump by it am i right ?
other solution but i am not sure will be inexpensive is build some kind of "bus" that all the sensors will listen and transmit on it somehow..
what do you think is the best choice for this kind of problem ?
I use a Mega with Sensor Shield to water 3 different sections on time, Feed chlorine to my swimming pool, control the pool filter, pool heater, etc. etc. You can run many DS18B20 temperature sensors on one pin, etc.
IF you want to design a bus, figure out multiplexers etc. that is fine. But you can concentrate on your application a lot easier by skipping that design job.
the suggestion of using a MEGA might solve most, if not all your problems.
as for the buss, there are three simple ones, the SPI, the I2c and the One-Wire.
the One-Wire is great for multiple DS18B20 temperature sensors. super simple.
I HIGHLY suggest you take the time and list out the inputs you want to use
list out the OUTputs you want to have
the DEVICES, such as a display or some such.
then create a simple schematic to help figure it out.
if you get stuck clean up the list and the schematic and post it here for help.